High coronavirus death rates in Spanish care homes now under investigation

Expat families with loved ones in Spanish care homes are now fearful over high COVID 19 death rates.

Several of Spain’s residences for the elderly and care homes are now facing full investigations by the authorities after the high numbers of deaths from the COVID 19 pandemic. Both local authorities and the families of care home residents are now hugely concerned about the quality of care, as unusually high death rates from the virus begin to emerge.

Some 14 older residents are reported to have died from the coronavirus at Ciudan Real’s Tomelleso home for the elderly, with 20 more meeting the same fate at Madrid’s Monte Hermoso residence. Deaths at Madrid’s Sanitas San Martin care home have now reached eight, with 45 more now testing positive for the virus. As a result, investigations are taking place at the Monte Hermoso home, citing gross negligence, and calls are being made for investigations into negligence at Tomesello as well as several other care homes.

In total, around 400,000 older expats and Spanish citizens are living in care homes all over Spain, with Madrid itself boasting around 500 homes for the elderly. Concern is growing amongst the families of residents, especially as they’re now unable to visit their loved ones due to the coronavirus travel ban and other restrictions.

Given that the measures taken by the Spanish government are aimed at protecting the population from the threat of the pandemic, growing concern amongst relatives and friends over the conditions in which their older family members are being kept should also be a priority for those in charge of preventative measures.